Multiple compartment container assembly

Abstract

Described herein is a multiple compartment container assembly which allows multiple distinct substances to be separately stored and/or consumed and/or dispensed. The separate compartments are accessed through apertures located at opposing ends of the container assembly, each aperture having a separate, leak resistant closure. A user may select which of the compartments to access by opening one or another of the closures.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
       1. A container assembly comprising:
 an outer compartment comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the outer compartment defines an outer cavity that is accessible through a first opening at the first end of the outer compartment and through a second opening at the second end of the outer compartment; 
 an inner compartment comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the inner compartment defines an inner cavity that is accessible through a third opening at the first end of the inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment is configured for coupling to the second end of the outer compartment such that the inner compartment extends through the second opening into the outer cavity, wherein the first end of the inner compartment is positioned outside of the outer cavity when the inner compartment and the outer compartment are coupled together, wherein the inner compartment is removably coupled to the second end of the outer compartment via a threaded engagement; 
 a first closure that is configured for coupling to the first end of the outer compartment for selectively opening and closing the first opening in the outer compartment, wherein the first closure is configured to support the outer compartment in a generally upright manner when the first closure is placed on a generally horizontal surface, wherein the first closure is removably coupled to the first end of the outer compartment via a threaded engagement; and 
 a second closure that is configured for coupling to the first end of the inner compartment for selectively opening and closing the third opening in the inner compartment, wherein the second closure is configured to support the inner compartment in a generally upright manner when the second closure is placed on a generally horizontal surface, and wherein the second closure is removably coupled to the first end of the inner compartment via a threaded engagement. 
 
     
     
       2. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment comprises a side wall that extends between the first and second ends of the outer compartment, wherein the side wall surrounds the outer cavity. 
     
     
       3. The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the outer compartment comprises a male threaded stem that extends outward from the side wall at the first end of the outer compartment, and wherein the first closure comprises a female threaded surface configured to removably engage the male threaded stem. 
     
     
       4. The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the inner compartment comprises:
 a side wall that extends between the first and second ends of the inner compartment; and 
 an end wall that is coupled to the side wall of the inner compartment at the second end of the inner compartment, wherein the end wall and the side wall of the inner compartment surround the inner cavity. 
 
     
     
       5. The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the inner compartment comprises a flange that is coupled to the side wall of the inner compartment at the first end of the inner compartment, wherein the flange is configured to be removably coupled to the second end of the outer compartment. 
     
     
       6. The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the flange is configured to be removably coupled to the second end of the outer compartment via a threaded engagement. 
     
     
       7. The container assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the outer compartment comprises another male threaded stem that extends outward from the side wall of the outer compartment at the second end of the outer compartment, and wherein the flange comprises a female threaded surface configured to removably engage the other male threaded stem. 
     
     
       8. The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the inner compartment comprises a male threaded stem that extends outward from the side wall of the inner compartment at the first end of the inner compartment, and wherein the second closure comprises a female threaded surface configured to removably engage the male threaded stem of the inner compartment. 
     
     
       9. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are separate compartments with respect to each other, and wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are configured to hold and dispense separate contents without mixing of the contents. 
     
     
       10. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first closure is configured for coupling to the first end of the outer compartment in a manner that resists leaks through the first opening in the outer compartment, and wherein the second closure is configured for coupling to the first end of the inner compartment in a manner that resists leaks through the third opening in the inner compartment. 
     
     
       11. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first closure and the second closure are selected from the group consisting of a plug, a coupling structure attached to the first opening in the outer compartment or the third opening in the inner compartment, a threaded screw, a snap on closure, and a sports cap. 
     
     
       12. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are formed as a single, integral piece. 
     
     
       13. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are separately formed before being assembled. 
     
     
       14. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer compartment and the inner compartment is composed of a rigid material. 
     
     
       15. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer compartment and the inner compartment is composed of a flexible material. 
     
     
       16. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer compartment and the inner compartment comprises a cylindrical, square, triangular, oval or rectangular shape. 
     
     
       17. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first closure comprises a cylinder that is configured for coupling to the first end of the outer compartment and a support surface that is coupled to and extends radially outward from the cylinder, wherein an annular gap is presented between the support surface and the first end of the outer compartment when the first closure is coupled to the outer compartment, and wherein the annular gap is sized to receive one or more fingers of a user's hand. 
     
     
       18. A container assembly comprising:
 an outer compartment comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the outer compartment defines an outer cavity that is accessible through a first opening at the first end of the outer compartment and through a second opening at the second end of the outer compartment; 
 an inner compartment comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the inner compartment defines an inner cavity that is accessible through a third opening at the first end of the inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment is coupled to the second end of the outer compartment such that the inner compartment extends through the second opening into the outer cavity, wherein the first end of the inner compartment is positioned outside of the outer cavity, wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are separate compartments with respect to each other, wherein the outer compartment and the inner compartment are configured to hold and dispense separate contents without mixing of the contents, wherein the first opening of the outer compartment is accessible through the second opening of the outer compartment when the inner compartment is not coupled to the second end of the outer compartment, wherein the inner compartment is removably coupled to the second end of the outer compartment via a threaded engagement; 
 a first closure removably coupled to the first end of the outer compartment for selectively opening and closing the first opening in the outer compartment, wherein the first closure is configured to support the outer compartment in a generally upright manner when the first closure is placed on a generally horizontal surface, wherein the first closure is removably coupled to the first end of the outer compartment via a threaded engagement; and 
 a second closure removably coupled to the first end of the inner compartment for selectively opening and closing the third opening in the inner compartment, wherein the second closure is configured to support the inner compartment in a generally upright manner when the second closure is placed on a generally horizontal surface, and wherein the second closure is removably coupled to the first end of the inner compartment via a threaded engagement. 
 
     
     
       19. The container of assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first closure comprises a cylinder that is configured for coupling to the first end of the outer compartment and a support surface that is coupled to and extends radially outward from the cylinder. 
     
     
       20. The container assembly of  claim 19 , wherein an annular gap is presented between the support surface and the first end of the outer compartment when the first closure is coupled to the outer compartment, and wherein the annular gap is sized to receive one or more fingers of a user's hand. 
     
     
       21. The container assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first closure is configured for coupling to the first end of the outer compartment in a manner that resists leaks through the first opening in the outer compartment, and wherein the second closure is configured for coupling to the first end of the inner compartment in a manner that resists leaks through the third opening in the inner compartment.